Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Soul Shattered Sister , from Jim Vegas and it's an interesting mix of rock, pop and soul. Opening with title track, Soul Shattered Sister , Jim Vegas leads on vocal and guitar backed by Sam Young on bass, Luke Young on sax and Philip Holmes on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Till The Whole Thing Blows , an easy paced ballad with a nice melody, warm sax tones and comforting guitar riffs. Not That Strong is a solid boogie with a driving pace and sax overtones. Love Is Coming Back Around has a polished Steely Dan feel with it's tight, solid rhythm, Fagan like vocals and jazzy sax approach. Very nice.  Another lead track on the release is Lightning Hit The Box with warm sax, polished guitar riffs and soulful singing. Very nice. Closing track, Sun Is Gonna Smile , has a smooth sway and nice melody. This is an interesting release with plenty of easy paced melodies.    If you suppor...

I just received the newest release, Circus , from Jim Zeller , and it's a rock stew. Opening with Down To The River , a kind of bolero rocker with a taste of Midnight Rider and French Cafe twist on Old Man River, this release will keep you guessing. Wild Life has a more metal feel with vocal echo but with synthesized accordion sounds giving it a more euro sound. With Freddy Freedom and Jean Millaire on guitar, David Devine on drums and Marc Deschenes on bass, a nice harp solo sets it off. A light rocker, Bad Girl , has an interesting sound with harp and a jazzy beat. Possibly my favorite track on the release, overdriven guitar rhythm is very cool as is the howl of the harp and Richard Beamder on sax. Ballad, Ain't So Bad has a solid melody with traces of the Kinks and smooth harp work. Driving rocker with traces of All Along The Watchtower, Halloween in Hollywood With Johnny Depp is a cool track with some hints of Spanish guitar and cool guitar riffs. One Step Closer To Ve...

James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975), better known as Bob Wills, was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western swing, he was universally known as the King of Western Swing. Wills formed several bands and played radio stations around the South and West until he formed the Texas Playboys in 1934 with Wills on fiddle, Tommy Duncan on piano and vocals, rhythm guitarist June Whalin, tenor banjoist Johnnie Lee Wills, and Kermit Whalin, who played steel guitar and bass. The band played regularly on a Tulsa, Oklahoma radio station, and added Leon McAuliffe on steel guitar, pianist Al Stricklin, drummer Smokey Dacus, and a horn section that expanded the band's sound. Wills favored jazz-like arrangements and the band found national popularity into the 1940s with such hits as "Steel Guitar Rag", "New San Antonio Rose", "Smoke on the Water", "Stars and Stripes on ...

Born May 25, 1928 in Shamrock, LA Died February 19, 1979 in California Very much one of the mystery men of the blues, this singer/guitarist caused a minor stir in the 70s with his powerful, raw blues records which were issued on small Los Angeles labels including Goodie Train and Las Vegas. In 1979 JSP Records released enough material for an album which was described by Jim DeKoster in Living Blues as ‘one of the most striking blues albums of the past year’, but Page remains elusive. His music is tough, no-nonsense, mostly original blues, with sometimes startling lyrics; although JSP also issued a more contemporary-sounding risqué single entitled ‘Hamburger-I Love To Eat It’, which was not on the album. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!

This is another super group fron the 60-and 70's. Three terrific players. Felix, Corky and Leslie. Today is Leslie's birthday. What a creative genius. Pappalardi was born in the Bronx, New York. A classically trained musician, he graduated from New York City's prestigious High School of Music & Art, and attended the University of Michigan As a producer, Pappalardi is perhaps best-known for his work with British psychedelic blues-rock power trio Cream, beginning with their second album, Disraeli Gears. Pappalardi has been referred to in various interviews with the members of Cream as "the fourth member of the band" as he generally had a role in arranging their music. He also played a session role on the songs he helped them record. As a musician, Pappalardi is widely recognized as a bassist, vocalist, and founding member of the American hard rock band/ heavy metal forerunner Mountain, a band born out of his working with future bandmate Leslie West's so...

Internationally acclaimed London bluesman Papa George is admired on the UK blues circuit as an extremely well respected musician. Since the mid-70s Papa George has forged a reputation for stunning performances on the blues circuits and festivals, “Highly regarded, both here and in the US, and Europe, for the gritty passion of his voice and his finesse on the blues frets…” Paul Jones BBC Radio2. Recognised as one of the top guitarists and vocalists and described by THE TIMES as “a mean axeman”, he captivates audiences playing Fender Stratocaster, or bottleneck blues-style on Amistar and National Steel Guitars. During the 70s & 90s George ventured out to play in Colombia, New York, LA and Texas, these experiences had a profound effect on his musical journey. Shortly after his return to the UK in 1986, he formed the Papa George Band, which became very popular around London & the South East, plus Europe & Scandinavia. The Papa George Band has built a solid reputation for the...

Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. (December 30, 1939 – April 17, 1983) was an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, and bass guitarist. Pappalardi was born in the Bronx, New York. A classically trained musician, he graduated from New York City's The High School of Music & Art and attended the University of Michigan. As a producer, Pappalardi is perhaps best-known for his work with British psychedelic blues-rock power trio Cream, beginning with their second album, Disraeli Gears. Pappalardi has been referred to in various interviews with the members of Cream as "the fourth member of the band" as he generally had a role in arranging their music. He also played a session role on the songs he helped them record. As a musician, Pappalardi is widely recognized as a bassist, vocalist, and founding member of the American hard rock band/ heavy metal forerunner Mountain, a band born out of his working with future bandmate Leslie West's soul-inspired rock and roll band The Va...

Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. (December 30, 1939 – April 17, 1983) was an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, and bass guitarist. Pappalardi was born in the Bronx, New York. A classically trained musician, he graduated from New York City's The High School of Music & Art and attended the University of Michigan. As a producer, Pappalardi is perhaps best known for his work with British psychedelic blues-rock power trio Cream, beginning with their second album, Disraeli Gears. Pappalardi has been referred to in various interviews with the members of Cream as "the fourth member of the band" as he generally had a role in arranging their music. He also played a session role on the songs he helped them record. He also produced The Youngbloods' first album. As a musician, Pappalardi is widely recognized as a bassist, vocalist, and founding member of the American hard rock band/ heavy metal forerunner Mountain, a band born out of his working with future bandmate Le...

Music Theories Recordings , a division of Mascot Label Group, is pleased to announce the 15th October UK release of Paul Gilbert’s new and exciting 12th solo album “Vibrato” . The album includes four new guitar and vocal compositionss, four instrumentals, plus three live cover songs from Gilbert’s 2010 “Fuzz” tour including Yes’ Roundabout , Muddy Waters’ I Want To Be Loved and AC/DC’s Go Down . The album will follow Gilbert’s appearance at Marshall Amplification’s " 50 Years Of Loud " concert at London Wembley Arena on Saturday 22nd September . The concert celebrates 50 years of Marshall Amplification’s musical innovation and the life of the late Jim Marshall. Get tickets here. As a member of both the '80's premiere guitar band Racer X , and the million selling Mr. Big , Gilbert has gained the reputation as one of the most melodic and powerful guitarists in rock. Determined not to be pigeon-holed as a guitar shredder, Gilbert's solo wo...

NYC, THE BEACON THEATRE JOHN ONO LENNON 75TH - 10/24 "This show will feature music from John Lennon's entire career - both Beatles and Solo - including his best known greatest hits, as well as a couple of eclectic "deep cuts."   The Fab Faux will be augmented by the 4-piece Hogshead Horns, the Creme Tangerine Strings, guest musicians Jim Boggia and Erin Hill, and the 6-member Nutopia choir - allowing them to perform every facet of Lennon - from the most intimate numbers to full-out 19 piece Wall of Sound." SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015 - 8 p.m. MANHATTAN, NY THE BEACON THEATRE - 2124 BROADWAY Fab Faux Celebrate A Life In Songs: John Ono Lennon 75th featuring The Hogshead Horns , The Crème Tangerine Strings , Erin Hill, Jim Boggia and The Nutopia Choir http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004EA6A6FA236A The Wall Street Journal articulated what sets The Fab Faux apart: “The Fab Faux…are not interested in nostalgia – they are a musical e...